Lip & Tongue Ties

A tongue tie occurs when the strip of tissue (lingual frenulum) connecting the tongue to the floor of the mouth is shorter and tighter than usual. Typically, this strip of tissue separates before birth, allowing the tongue free range of motion. With a tongue tie, the lingual frenulum remains attached to the bottom of the tongue.

A lip tie is similar and occurs when the strip of tissue connecting the lip to the gum tissue is too tight or attaches too low between the two front teeth.

Tongue and lip ties are very common conditions that, if addressed quickly, will not hinder a child’s development. However, if left untreated, they can lead to malnourishment, speech difficulty, or poor oral hygiene.

Signs of tongue and lip ties include:

• Restriction of the tongue and lip movement, making it harder to breastfeed
• Difficulty lifting the tongue up or moving it from side to side
• Difficulty sticking the tongue out
• The tongue looks notched or heart-shaped when stuck out
• Discomfort when lifting lip up to look or brush teeth

Treatment of Tongue and Lip Ties (Frenectomy)

The treatment of a tongue or lip tie is a simple surgical procedure called a frenectomy. Dr. Meredith will evaluate the tissues and then use a laser to remove the excess tissue. Stitches are usually not necessary. If the child was having a functional problem like difficulty nursing or speech issues, Dr. Meredith then usually recommends returning to the lactation consultant or speech therapist to ensure success!